Electric razor blade sharpener



Jan. 26, 1960 A. B. SWANSON 2,922,260

ELECTRIC RAZOR BLADE! SHARPENER Filed July 23, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 6/ I; By

Jan. 26, 1960 A. B. SWANSON ELECTRIC RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 23, 1958 ..V......a on... Honour. H... rib-N 2,922,260 ELECTRIC RAZOR BLADE SYHARPENER Albert B. Swanson, Chicago, Ill. Application July 23, 195$,Serial No. 750,365 11 Claims. c1. 51+ 1'58) The present invention relates to razor blade sharpening devices such as used for restoring the cutting edges of double edge safety razor blades of the kinds in common use.

The primary purpose of the invention is to improve the efficiency of such devices by providing mechanism having a mode of operation designed to impart the type of stroke or movement between the sharpening elements and blade which will act most quickly. in producing correct sharpening eflects on the cutting edge or edges of a blade. i

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electrical mechanism in compact form suitable for a portable or pocket-type sharpener.

It is still a further object of thisinvention to provide a sharpening device for double-edge razor blades embodying four leather sharpening blocks, or pieces, with inclined sharpening surfaces for the simultaneous treatment of all four edge surfaces of a blade,rota'table driving means for imparting an oval sharpening movement relative to the sharpening pieces to a blade to be sharpened by said sharpening pieces in a plane of the blade, and rubber supporting members acting on each of said sharpening pieces in such a manner that they are constantly urged toward the juxtaposed edge surface of the said blade.

Other objects and features of this invention willbecome apparent from time to time as the following specification proceeds and with the reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of the razor blade sharpening device with its cover in an elevated position;

Figure 2 is an end elevational viewof the device shown in Fig. 1, with its cover in closed positionand the-motor housing in section;

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the device shown in Fig. 1, with adouble-edge razor blade applied thereto;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 3, the cover in closed position;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 5--5 of Fig. 3, the base and portions of the electric motor being omitted;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the leather sharpening pieces and associated actuating arm with a razor blade assembled therewith, the various positions of the blade are shown dotted to indicate the curvilinear path of movement thereof;

Figure 7 is a detail, top plan view of-the driving and driven gears of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 3, the cover in closed position;

Figure 9 is a perspective view illustration of the rubber and leather members parts in section, the driven gear and actuating pin and with a razor blade in position therewith for sharpening;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the leather ribbed bar assembled with the driving and driven gears and actuating pin, parts broken away;

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 10; and

Figure '12 is atop plan view of the ribbed bar shown 2,922,260 Patented mes, was

in Figures 10 and 11, the bar is shown dotted in various positionsof travel to show the curvilinear path taken by he. en r b r- In the particular embodiment of the invention chosen for purposes of this disclosure, there is provided a twopart oblong casing, or housing of rectangular configuration comprising a base shell portion 15 and upper shell portion, or cover 16. Hinge pieces 17 and 18, or the equivalent thereof, may be provided on the body and cover of the casing, respectively, joined by a pin 19, for opening the casing. Suitable means, not shown, serves to normally retain the c asingin closed position.

Within the cover of the casing there is secured a pair of similar sharpening leather blocks, or strips 20 and 21, longitudinally arranged parallel with each other and suitably spaced from each other. A pair of foam-rubber blocks 22 and 23 of suitable configuration are located beneath the leather strips 20 and 21 to impart outward resilient pressure, A C-shaped clamping plate 24, shown clearly by Figures 3 and 4, is screwed to the cover by .set screws, or bolts 25 and 25' spaced therefrom by gspacers 26' and 26', A pair of vertical plates 28 and 29 are longitudinally arranged between the C-shaped plate 43 and they are spaced from each other to form pockets to retain the rubber blocks 22 and 23 and the leather bloeks 2 0 and 21m position. The leather blocks, or piec e s, have inwardly inclined sharpening surfaces 30, as shown by Fi o co tac g e edges of the blade. The cover 16, with associated parts, forms a com- .pact unit to be hinged to the lower shell 15. The foam- .rubber blocks are constantly urging the leather blocks outwardly against the G-shaped plate, the plates only contact the leather blocks at the end portions thereof and of reduced thickness, allowing the sharpening surfaces 30 to extend above the C-shaped plate, A guide pin 31 is secured to the C-shaped plate at one end corner thereof and arranged to fit in a hole 32, later to be described. A hole 33 is arranged in the opposite end of the (It-shaped plate to receive pin 34, later to be described. This construction ensures that the two casing shells may be held closed by hand at a certain distance from one another without movement or shifting along the hinge pin.

Within the lower shell of the casing there is secured a pair of foam-rubber blocks 35 and 36 and a pair of leather blocks 37 and 38, similar in size and construction to the leather blocks 20 and 21, and the rubber blocks 22 and 23. The blocks 35, 36, 37 and 38 are arranged in the same manner as the blocks in the cover and are -in direct alignment when the cover and base are in closed position. The vertical plates 40 and 41 hold the blocks in position, the ends of the plates are formed about the corners of the shell 15 in the same manner as plates 28 and 29 areformed about the corners of the shell 16. The bloeks in the lower shell are retained therein by another lit-shaped plate 44, held inplace by set screws 45. Said C-shaped plate 44 has said pin 34 and hole 32 arranged in opposite ends thereof.

The lower shell 15 has a hole 50 centrally arranged in the bottom'surface thereof, through which the motor .drive shaft 51 extends. An electric motor M, equipped with extension cord 52 and the plug 53 is suitably secured to base B, as shown by Figures 1 and 2. The motor housing 56 is provided with suitable supports 57 for retaining the lower shell 15 in proper spaced relationship, and securing it thereto. Collars 58 are mounted on the drive shaft 51, inside and outside said lower wall surface 55, and pinned thereto to rotate with the shaft 51. Upon the upper end of the motor shaft 51 is mounted a driving gear 60, the hub portion thereof pinned to shaft 51, as shown by Figures 4, 5 and 10. A driven gear 61 is mounted upon a stub shaft 62, said shaft 62 vertically secured in a block 64 secured in the right-hand end of the shell 15, when looking at Fig. 4, by set screw 45. a

The driven gear 61 is assembled with its teeth in mesh with the teeth of gear 60. A crank pin 66 is vertically mounted in the driven gear 61 to extend upwardly there; from. Rotation of gear 60 effects rotation of gear 61 and circular motion of pin 66. In the opposite end of the shell 15 from that with block 64, is secured a leather slide block 67 mounted upon a rigid block 68 of any suitable material. A ribbed block 70 is spaced intermediate the vertical plates 40 and 41. The block 70 has a smooth lower surface 71 and a vertical hole 72 in the right-hand end 73, as seen by Fig. 10. The block is assembled with the upper end of pin 66 extending through the hole 72 and with the flat lower surface 71 at the opposite end in sliding contact with said block 67. Rotation of the driven gear 61, rotates pin 66 and elfects circular movement to the adjacent end of said block 70. Said block 70 has a vertically and longitudinally and upwardly extending rib portion 75, extending from said hole 72 to the opposite end of the block 74. The rib 75 extends through the centrally disposed longitudinal slot 76 in blade R to be sharpened, as shown by Fig. 9. Said blade R also is provided with enlarged openings 80 and 81 at the opposite ends of said slot 76. A rectangular shaped opening 82 is arranged in said slot 76 in said blade R adjacent said opening 81. The pin 66 extends upwardly through said opening 82 when the blade R to be sharpened is applied to the leather sharpening pieces 20, 21, 37 and 38, as shown by Fig. 9.

It is of course obvious that the diameters of the gears, and the distance of the crank pin from the center of the driven gear, may vary to coincide with openings and slots in various designs of razor blades.

As shown by the cross sectional view in Figure 5 and a sharpening angle corresponding to the cutting angle'of the razor blade.

When the razor blade is positioned on the pin 66 and over rib 75 and the cover 16 is closed, the blade prevents the inter-engagement of opposite sharpening surfaces, and the opposite but equal foam-rubber resilient pressures constitute the desired sharpening pressures.

If now the plug 53 is inserted in an electric current outlet, the motor starts, the drive shaft rotates gear-60, which in turn rotates gear 61. The crank pin 66 causes circular movement of the end 73 of said block 70 and longitudinal movement of the opposite end 74 thereof. Figures 6 and 12 clearly show by dotted lines that the blade to be sharpened follows the ribbed portion of the I block 70 as pin 66 actuates the block 70 and blade R. It is obvious that the blade R is not moved transversely or longitudinally alone, or in a circular manner. The cutting edge of the razor blade behaves as a wedge between the inclined sharpening surfaces so that when the cutting edge is moved toward the sharpening angle the two sharpening surfaces are forced apart against the action of the foam-rubber blocks acting upon them.

The sharpening movement of the blade and block 70 causes an oval movement of greater magnitude to the forward end of the blade being sharpened than the oval movement imparted to the rear end of the blade, without bending the said blade and/or forming grooves in the sharpening pieces of leather. The crank pin 66 and bar 70 approach what is called a linkage arrangement. The block 70 may be referred to as an oscillating block, and when the crank pin 66 rotates the linear speed of the block varies, there is a change in velocity ratio. The block, or blade, moves slowly at each end of its travel in a longitudinal direction, and rapidly during its intermediate travel. The motion is, in other words, harmonic,

, as found with a revolving crank shaft, a crank, a conpieces mounted upon foam-rubber blocks.

necting rod and a crosshead in general use. A form of motion with variable acceleration is known as simple harmonic motion. The direction of travel is oval, of the shape of the outline of an egg; resembling the longitudinal section of an egg; that is, elliptical. The curvilinear movement of the bladeisova'l in form and of variable acceleration. This movement is substantially the same as used by a barber when sharpening a razor upon a leather strap; an .oval movement is required to obtain efficient results. j Circular, transverse or *longtudinal movements alone are objectionable, and applicant discovered this invention wherein the blade travels in an oval. When the blade is sharpened in this device, the

blade can be turned, first one end obtains greater movement than the other end thereof, so by turning the blade end for end, the bladeis equally sharpened electrically and variable acceleration due The leather blocks are chemically treated with neats-foot oil to soften'thesame and. furnish the necessary sharpening surfaces. Grinding stones, metal blocks, glass blocks and the like are not equivalent to applicants soft leather A new and novel invention is believed to be apparent.

.- :It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concept of the present invention.

What I claim is:

E 1. A sharpening device for double-edge razor blades comprising'a sharpening means for simultaneously operating on the four sides of the cutting edges of a blade,

said sharpening means being constructed of leather of desired configuration, looselyand resiliently mounted therewith, a. holder for supporting a blade, means to impart a positive circular movement to the forward end of said holder and a longitudinal movement to the rear end thereof, thereby imparting a curvilinear movement of oval outline to a blade to be sharpened by said sharpmeans being constructed of a plurality of leather pieces' of desired configuration, loosely and resiliently mounted upon rubber supporting members providing inclined sharpening surfaces, a movable holder for a blade and an electric motor comprising a drive shaft, gears, and a pin for imparting a circular movement to the forward end of said holder and a longitudinal movement to the rear end thereof, thereby imparting a movement of oval outline to a blade to be sharpened by said sharpening means, such movement taking place in a plane parallel to that containing the cutting edges.

3. A sharpening device for double-edge razor blades, comprising a housing with an upper and lower section, four leather sharpening pieces with inclined sharpening surfaces for the simultaneous treatment of all four edge surfaces of a blade, a movable holder for a blade, rotatable driving means for imparting a circular movement to the forward end of said holder and a longitudinal movement to the rear end thereof, thereby imparting an oval sharpening movement relative to the sharpening pieces to a blade to be sharpened by the said sharpening pieces in a plane of the blade, and rubber supporting members acting on each of said sharpening pieces in such a manner that they are constantly urged toward the juxtaposed edge surface of the said blade.

4. A sharpening device for double-edge razor blades according to claim 3 wherein said rotatable driving means comprises an electric motor embodying a drive shaft as sociated witha driving gear centrally located in the lower section of said housing and in mesh with a driven gear located in the forward end portion of said lower section of said housing.

5. A sharpening device for double-edge razor blades according to claim 3 wherein said rotatable driving means comprises an electric motor suitably mounted adjacent said sharpening device and comprising a drive shaft associated with a driving gear and a driven gear arranged together and parallel relative to the plane of said blade when being sharpened therewith, a pin vertically mounted upon said driven gear, a leather supporting member having one end thereof mounted upon said pin and having a vertically and upwardly extending rib portion for ex tending through a centrally disposed longitudinal slot in the blade, said pin and said rib effecting proper location of the blade and the oval movement thereof.

6. A sharpening device for double-edge razor blades according to claim 5 wherein the pin on the driven gear and the forward end of the leather supporting member with the rib thereon are designed for imparting an oval movement of greater magnitude to the forward end of the blade being sharpened than the oval movement imparted to the rear end of said blade, Without bending the said blade and forming grooves in the sharpening pieces of leather.

7. A razor blade sharpener comprising leather pieces of desired configuration and providing inclined sharpening surfaces, a spaced pin upon a driven gear and a leather bar with an upstanding rib portion connected together and disposed centrally of said sharpening surfaces to hold positively a safety razor blade whereby the cutting edges of the latter are placed in juxtaposition to said sharpening surfaces and electrical means for imparting circular movement to said pin and curvilinear movement of oval outline to said leather bar and the blade arranged therewith to be sharpened.

8. A razor blade sharpener comprising a lower shell and an upper shell, rubber members located in said lower and upper shells and spaced from each other, leather sharpening members located in said lower and upper shells upon said rubber members and said leather members spaced from each other, a holder with an upstanding rib portion located intermediate said sharpening members to receive a razor blade, an aperture in the forward end of said holder, a driving gear and a driven gear arranged together beneath said holder, said driving gear centrally arranged in said lower shell and in mesh with said driven gear, said driven gear arranged in the forward end portion of said lower shell, an upstanding pin arranged upon said driven gear and extending through said aperture in said holder, said rubber members effecting said sharpening members so that when the upper sharpening members are placed in superposed position upon said lower sharpening members, pressure is exerted upon the razor blade, the upper end of said pin arranged in an opening in said razor blade for imparting motion thereto, and means for imparting revolvable movement to said gears for imparting circular movement to said pin imparting a positive circular movement to the forward end of said holder and a longitudinal movement to the rear end of said holder and effecting an oval movement to said blade and said holder relative to said sharpening members.

9. A razor blade sharpener comprising two shells hinged together, two spaced leather sharpening members in each shell providing juxtaposed and oppositely inclined sharpening surfaces, foam-rubber means arranged behind said leather sharpening members for holding a razor blade in resilient pressed relation against said sharpening surfaces, a ribbed bar located intermediate said sharpening members to receive a razor blade, said bar having a vertical hole in the forward end thereof, an actuating pin extending through said vertical hole in said bar for imparting a positive revolvable movement to the forward end of said bar and a longitudinal movement to the rear end of said bar effecting oval movement to the ribbed portions of said bar and said blade thereon, whereby the cutting edges of the blade thereon are brought into engagement with said sharpening surfaces.

10. A sharpening device for double-edge razor blades, comprising a housing of elongated shape having an upper and a lower shell member, said upper member hinged to said lower member, said lower member having a hole in the base thereof, two longitudinally arranged pairs of leather sharpening members having inwardly inclined sharpening surfaces for simultaneously operating on the four sides of the cutting edges of a blade in each shell, each of said sharpening members of each pair being arranged and loosely assembled upon blocks of foam rubber for effecting a relative movement to the sharpening members in the upper shell toward the sharpening members in the lower shell, leather blocks secured in the opposite ends of said lower shell between said blocks of rubber, a driving gear arranged between said leather blocks and said rubber blocks in said lower shell, a driven gear revolvably mounted upon the leather block in the forward end of said lower shell, a ribbed bar with a rib on its upper surface located intermediate said sharpening members and above said gears, an actuating pin vertically mounted upon said driven gear and extending through a vertical hole in the forward end of said ribbed bar, the rear end of said ribbed bar in sliding contact with the leather block in the rear end of said lower shell, said rib on the upper'surface of said bar for receiving a blade to be sharpened and extending through a longitudinal slot in said blade, the upper end of said actuating pin extending through an enlarged portion of said slot in the blade, means extending through the hole in said base for imparting movement to said gears for imparting circular movement to said actuating pin, said pin imparting positive revolvable movement to the forward end of said bar and a longitudinal movement to the rear end of said bar sliding on the leather blocks thereby effecting oval movement to the ribbed portion of said bar and said blade thereon, whereby the cutting edges of the blade thereon are brought into sliding oval, curvilinear engagement with said sharpening surfaces.

11. In an electric razor blade sharpener structure, an electric motor housing, a motor supported in said housing, a razor blade sharpener box attached to said motor housing, the drive shaft of said motor extending into said box, said box consisting of a lower shell and an upper shell hinged together by suitable means, a plurality of rubber supporting members mounted in each shell, said rubber members arranged parallel and spaced from each other in each of said shells, a leather sharpening member mounted upon each of said rubber members and loosely held thereon, a ribbed bar slidably mounted in said lower shell, an actuating pin extending vertically through an opening in the forward end of said bar, gear means for imparting circular movement to said actuating pin, said drive shaft of said motor actuating said gear means, said pin imparting oval, curvilinear movement to the intermediate portion of said bar as the rear end of said bar is moved longitudinally and the forward end is moved in a circle, said bar for receiving a blade to be sharpened, said pin contacting and actuating said blade thereby effecting oval movement to blade, whereby the cutting edges of the blade thereon are brought into sliding, oval curvilinear engagement with said leather sharpening members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Souczek June 11, 1935 Johnston July 28, 1936 OTHER REFERENCES 

